In other words, any of the opponents the Parkhead club could face in the last 16 of the Champions League would be the experience of a lifetime.

But Wilson can’t help but hope the continentals are kept away from Celtic. He knows what he wants for Christmas and UEFA might just play Santa Claus for him on December 20.

He is hoping that when his club is pulled from the big glass bowl they use for Champions League draws that Manchester United come out with them. That, he feels, would be pure dead brilliant.

The Englishman has never played against Sir Alex Ferguson’s giants and would love a crack at them in the last 16.

And Wilson believes with all his heart that Celtic would have no inferiority complex if they were pitched in against Rooney, Van Persie and the rest.

The former Nottingham Forest centre-back took time to settle at Parkhead but, like his team-mates this season, he has kept his best form for the Champions League.

And he believes Celtic’s home record gives them reason to believe they can compete with anyone over two legs.

Helsingborgs and Helsinki were beaten in the qualifiers, which was to be expected, but when the big boys rolled up to Celtic Park they were given similar treatment.

Barcelona and Spartak Moscow left Glasgow defeated and only Benfica’s 0-0 draw in the first game of Group G prevented Celtic from boasting a 100 per cent home record.

Wilson takes comfort from that and while he’d relish facing any of the seven teams Celtic could land in a fortnight, he admits that a good old-fashioned Battle of Britain clash would be a career highlight.

He said: “I would like to draw a Premier League team and Manchester United are the only group winners so that would be nice, a Scotland v England game.

“Not just because some people thought I was crazy coming here in the first place. United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I’ve never had the chance to play against them.”

Having reached the knockout stage, Wilson isn’t interested in the adventure ending at the last 16 stage. And he doesn’t think it has to.

He added: “Now we’re there we’re not thinking that’s our lot. We’ve beaten Barcelona, the best team in the world, to get there so we’re confident we can beat anyone here.

“No one expected us to beat Barca – or Spartak home and away – but we did. We don’t go shouting it from the rooftops but we’ve always been confident. We’ve gone about our business and proved everyone wrong.”

By the time the Champions League anthem booms around Celtic Park, the January transfer window will have come and gone.

This means that manager Neil Lennon may have strengthened his squad but Celtic’s exploits on the big stage will have attracted the attention of clubs throughout the continent and players may be the subject of bids.

Wilson insists, however, that his club’s participation in the business end of this tournament ought to have players thinking carefully about their next steps.

He added: “I imagine there will be interest in our players but no one will want to leave – why would you want to now? We’re in the last 16 and not many players get to compete in the Champions League, never mind reach this stage.

“We’re all cup-tied for the competition anyway so I don’t think anyone will go – I hope not, anyway.

“In fact, I’d welcome some new signings in January and if the gaffer thinks that’s needed he’ll do it. It’s up to him, even if he wants another centre-half. Fill your boots, gaffer.

“We’ll welcome anyone in the way we always have – the way I was welcomed in.”

Whatever happens, Wilson will remember Wednesday night for the rest of his career and admits there were moments when his heart was in his mouth.

Like when Kris Commons stood over the penalty kick that crashed off the underside of the bar before crossing the line to take Celtic through.

He said: “The main thing is that we got there. We knew Spartak were a good side so we’re delighted with the result.

“I watched the penalty but when Kris put his foot through it and hit the bar I was like ‘Aargh!’ But it went in.

“For their goal, I thought the ball was going to hit the bar but it just dipped and I think it was over the line before I reached it anyway.

“In the second half, the fans all cheered for some reason so we thought Barcelona must be one up. I thought, ‘Why are they cheering?’ as we hadn’t just had a chance and there wasn’t a sub ready to come on.

“So I assumed Barcelona were winning and it was only when I came off at the end I found out it was 0-0.

“When we went in at half-time I completely forgot we needed a result in that game as well so I didn’t even ask what the score was – I was just focused on what we were doing.”